Improvement in paper-clips



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Paper-Clip. No. 164,651 Patentedlune22,l875.

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ETATES WILLIAM H. PACK AND JOSEPH S. VANHORN, OF JERSEY CITY, NEIV JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN PAPER-CLIPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 164,657, dated June 22, I875; December 26, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

-Be it known that we, WILLIAM H. PACK and JOSEPH S. VANHORN, both of Jersey City, in the State of New Jersey, have invented an Improved Paper-Clip, of which the following is a specification:

The object of this invention is to furnish a very cheap clip. of cheap materials, and yet having all the efficiency of more costly ones, with great durability, as well as attractive and ornamental appearance.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a clip made in accordance with our invention, Figure 1 is a perspective View, and Fig. 2 a side view, of one style or form of clip embodying our invention; and Figs. 3 and 4, modified forms of the same.

A is the base or block; B, a spring, formed from a single piece of wire, secured at its ends in the block, and coiled, as shown at G, and bent to form a clip adapted to hold between itself and the block any papers, &c., usually held by clips; D, a journal, preferably of wood, and which is inserted in the coils of the two arms of the spring, as shown; and E, a liftinglever, secured to the journal, its forward end passing under the bight, bend, or doubled end of the spring, and its rearward end or projection serving as a thumb or finger piece, by the pressing down of which the spring may be lifted to insert or remove a paper. The spring is formed by retrovertin g or doubling the wire at its middle, as shown at f, and turning upward such doubled end, to form a loop of any required breadth to receive beneath it one end of the lever, which may also be of any desired breadth or length. Near the two ends of the spring are the coils, and the ends themselves are then bent downward, and about parallel to each other, and adapted to be inserted or driven into the block or base A. The general form of the spring itself is about the same as that shown, described, and claimed in our apapplication filed is lifted by the lever. The lever is secured to this journal by nails, screws, or any appropriate fastening device, and when lifted the journal rocks with it. The journal thus holds the lever to place, and the lever holds to place the journal.

The spring should be fastened to the bed, as shown, in such position that when the rear end of the lever is pressed down with force it shall come in contact with the base, and thus prevent any undue straining of the spring or coils. This positive limit or stop afforded by the bed insures an almost impossibility of dislodging the spring from the bed or base, and the whole action is a mere rocking one within defined limits, which are sufiicient for all practical purposes.

The ends of the spring are strengthened and re-enforced in their purchase or hold in the base by means of headed nails, screws, or other fastenin gs G. The ends of the cylinder or journal are preferably finished with ornamental caps or nails, as shown at ii.

That portion of the base beneath the clamping end of the clip may be roughened in any proper or tasteful manner, the better to secure the clamped articles from accidental displacement.

The lever may be affixed to any stationary piece or upright. In such case the journal may be dispensed-with 'or not, as preferred. If in such case it be retained, the cap at its ends should be large enough to prevent its slipping through the coils; but we prefer to use the journal, as it supports and strength ens the spring as the coils wind up and around it when the clip is worked.

The base A, though preferably made of wood, may be of any other material, such, for instance, as stone or other heavy material; and in such case it is ready for duty as a paper-weight to hold loose papers.

By aiiixing an eye or hook to the end of the base, or by means ofa hole through it, it may be used as a hanging clip, to be hung upon a nail or peg.

For some purposes we shorten the spring and make a hole through the forward end of the lever, and through this hole projects a sharp-pointed pin, secured in the base or block A. This permits the papers to be impaled on TENT QFFIGE.

the pin, as well us hold by the clip. (See Figs. In combination with the base A and the 3 and 4.) doubled spring B, fastened to such base, the

WVhen We Wish to use our invention as abilllever E, having its forward end projecting befile we make the lever, and also the loop f of neath the double f of the spring and its rear the spring, quite broad; and if the holes and end serving as its lifting-handle. pins last above named are Wanted for impaling and securing the bills or other papers in the order of their filing We prefer to employ in such files two holes and two pins, the better to hold the papers. (See Fig. 4.)

We claim- WILLIAM H. PACK. JOSEPH S. VANHOBN.

Witnesses:

P. N. HoRsLY, FRED.. PACK. 

